Caloundra plane crash pilot in serious condition

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1.45PM UPDATE: A 49-year-old pilot has been taken to Royal Brisbane Hospital in a serious condition after a light plane crash at Caloundra.

Police say the man and his three passengers, who are believed to be related, were on a joyflight from Jacobs Well when the light aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Caloundra Airport about 11.45am.

Aerial photos showed the Sling 4 plane was extensively damaged in the crash.

Two occupants - a man and a woman - freed themselves from the wreckage.

Emergency crews took more than an hour to free the pilot and a 24-year-old man who were trapped inside the wreckage just short of the runway.

The pilot has been airlifted to hospital in a serious, but not life-threatening condition.john mccutcheon

Sunshine Coast Police District Inspector Matt Wilson said the airport would remain closed for some time.

"Enquiries are underway to establish the cause of the accident, that includes the Australian Transport Safety Bureau being advised, and we're making the necessary arrangements through our forensic crash officers to investigate the cause of the accident," he said.

"The situation is under control, there's no risk of fire or explosion and all passengers have been removed from the aircraft."

Police are at Caloundra Airport after a plane crashed upon landing. All are now out of the plane. 2 injured. https://t.co/fQUGFRPNnN